A few of my favorite things

Posted on December 27, 2011 by Diana

Top: Ann Taylor LOFT (thrifted)
Skirt: Forver 21 (via Revolve)
Sandals: Dansko Neve (via eBay)
Necklace: Express
Bangle: Vintage

I had a pretty awesome Christmas this year. Lots and lots of family time (all within Tampa this year, yay!), lots of great food (turns out holidays are great for eating Paleo), lots of treats (not very Paleo) and lots of fantastic gifts. I wore the above outfit all day on Christmas, which turned out to be perfect. It’s really out of my usual comfort zone (midi peasant skirt, white top, heels) but I loved it. The simplicity of basic neutrals with turquoise accessories looked nice without being overdressed or too casual. The jersey skirt meant that I didn’t have extra discomfort after eating too many cookies. And the wedge sandals dressed things up and weren’t super uncomfortable.

This is what my awesome boyfriend got me. He had already bought the eBags packing cubes from Amazon for me (I’d been wanting these for years; I can’t wait to try them out next time I travel) and he wasn’t sure what else he should buy me for Christmas. I suggested he try Anthropologie. He went, found some presents for me, and told me that Anthro could be called the “Diana store” because he could have closed his eyes and pointed at anything there and I would have liked it

I’ve already been digging into the book he got me, and I absolutely love it. The other present I was super excited about. Carlo has a very sensitive sense of smell and most perfumes irritate him. Thus I haven’t worn perfume since we’ve been together for the past five years. But I was really missing wearing a scent. Without me eve telling him to, he found a perfume at Anthro that didn’t irritate his senses and bought it for me. And I love it! It’s light, floral with just a hint of ocean breeze. This will be a favorite for years to come.

Here’s some other random pics from the festivities:

This is the stuff I got from family.

Carlo and Elvis on Christmas day

I got this ornament when I was a kid, and it’s still awesome

Shopping Plan: November

Posted on December 5, 2010 by Diana

*November edition of My Great Shopping Plan of 2010, where I attempt to stay on a budget and fill out my wardrobe*

Between money left over from October and the $125 I budgeted for November, I had $188.50 to spend this month. Here’s what I bought:

Tank Tops, Target, $8 each

Terribly exciting, I know, but I needed some new tank tops for layering.

From L to R:

White Tee: Ann Taylor LOFT
Green Long Sleeve: Aeropostale
Red Beret: ?
Black Cardi: NY & Co
Brown Dress: NY & Co
Grey Tunic: French Connection
Goldenrod Sarong: ?

Total: roughly $30 at various garage sales

Neighborhood garage sales where there’s a lot of well-off, young hipsters are the best. I got some fantastic items, at a really good quality, and there was a minimal amount of digging through nasty old polyester clothes to find them.

Earrings: $3 from local artist at garage sale

They didn’t have a website that I know of, or I would link. These are fast becoming my new favorite earrings.

Keen Chamonix Boots: $51 on eBay
Keen Barcelonas: $25 on eBay

Once it started getting cold this year, I realized that I had no comfy, flat boots that I could wear all day. I love my boot collection, but they don’t cut it for eight hours on my feet. The chamonix boots turned out to look a little more like snow boots than I had expected, but they’re comfy, and they’ll be great for cold weekends.

The Barcelonas I bought because I adore my black nubuck ones, and I decided it made sense to get them in more colors and fabrics.

Denim Capris: Levis
Tunic: Forever 21
Striped Tee: Old Navy

All bought from Revolve with store credit

Oh how I love shopping with store credit. Revolve Clothing Exchange is the best.

So I spent exactly $125 this month, leaving me with $63.50 to add on to December. After next month, I’ll go back through my original wardrobe gaps list from the beginning of the year and see how many I filled.

“Comic, tragic or melodramatic”

Posted on July 22, 2010 by Diana

This outfit has me believing that tunics and leggings may be my favorite look ever. Comfortable, effortlessly stylish, practical: this combination has all my favorite elements. In fact, wearing this outfit inspired me to re-con my tunic that I posted on Tuesday. I’m definitely on the lookout for more fantastic and stylish tunics, and I’m also taking a look at my closet for ways that I can re-construct some of my garments to make them work with leggings.

The only thing that I don’t like about the leggings/tunic combo is that it can be a bit limiting. Sure, you can wear different colored leggings. You can layer cardigans and scarves (when it’s not 90 degrees outside). You can change some accessories, add belts, necklaces, boots, etc. Well, maybe it’s not that limiting after all. I guess I just find it harder to accessorize when it’s so hot out. I’ll have to challenge myself to find lots of ways to remix my tunics.

What about you? Do you love leggings/tunic combos in the summer?

Tunic: Forever 21 (via Revolve)
Leggings: Target
Sandals: Dansko Sela (via eBay)
Purse: Morelle Truffle
Cuff: via Classy Consignment
Necklace: Kira Ferrer

Quote: Sylvia Jean, Drama Queen, by Lisa Campbell Ernst

“Oh the jobs people work at!”

Posted on March 23, 2010 by Diana

I wore this last week when meeting the district support team for media specialists. I wanted to be polished and professional, since this was my first time meeting most of them. I think the outfit came together quite nicely. All the color allowed me to feel “me”, but the structure of the blazer and pencil skirt plus the smart heels kept me looking sharp.

Putting together outfits like this over the next few months will be very important. I want to make sure that I am constantly making a good impression, because how I do over these next few months will determine whether or not I get to work at the same school in the fall. Learning to dress in a way that is professional, while still incorporating my own personal style, is going to be an enjoyable challenge.

I love how it looks like I’m flying in that picture. Fun pictures really are the best pictures ever.

What do you wear when you want to make a good first impression?

Blouse: Anthropologie
Blazer: Forever 21 (thrifted)
Skirt: Semantiks
Shoes: Clarks Apple Sky
Purse: Vintage (via Advintagous)
Necklace: Coryell Design
Watch: Target

Quote: Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?, by Dr Seuss

Daily Outfit: Fall?

Posted on October 26, 2009 by Diana

We’re finally starting to have fall-ish weather in Florida, and it couldn’t have come soon enough. The summer heat was starting to drive me crazy, and I’m so glad to have more layering opportunities now. Albeit, the low on the coldest day was 52, but most of the time it’s been in the mid 60s to mid 70s. At least it’s not in the 90s.

Having a job that only allows jeans on Fridays has been a bit challenging for me, because I’ve discovered that they tend to be a fall-back piece for me when I can’t decide what to wear. However, it has also made me cherish wearing jeans more, and I put more effort into making these outfits special. I was really happy with how this remix came out. I’ve worn this blouse dozens of times and was getting a bit bored with it. But by adding a belt, layering my white half-cami underneath, and throwing a cardigan on top, a whole new look was born.

I think I’m slowly learning about how to deal with the stress of working forty hours a week. I’m starting to accept the fact that I simply don’t have a lot of free time, and I’m learning to really cherish what free time I do manage to find. It’s not easy, but I’m getting there.

Blouse: Forever 21 (thrifted)
Belt: Vintage
Cardigan: Ann Taylor LOFT
Jeans: Express
Shoes: Dansko Nena
Purse: Thrifted and re-conned
Necklace: Pixisette
Watch: Target

Daily Outfit: Remixing it up

Posted on October 1, 2009 by Diana

With a limited amount of closet space, I have to make the best use of what I have in my wardrobe. That means finding new and different ways to wear the same things over and over again. This outfit, like many, was a combination of elements from several previous outfits.

I’ve worn this blazer with a dress before, but not this dress. I’ve worn this dress with the pearls before. And I’ve worn this dress with these shoes. But by combining all these, I end up with a completely different outfit.

Some days it can be really hard to get creative. I find that looking back at how I wore things before can sometimes inspire me and give me new ideas.

Blazer: Forever21 (via Revolve)
Dress: Urban Outfitters
Shoes: Clarks Apple Sky
Purse: Morelle Oyster
Necklace: Garage sale
Bangle: Thrifted

Daily Outfit: Professional Life

Posted on September 22, 2009 by Diana

Now that I’ve started my new job (as a substitute media specialist at an elementary school) I’ve begun to realize that I really need to expand my professional wardrobe. I’ve got tons of great casual pieces, but not so many work separates. I’ve only got three pairs of dress pants, and only three or four skirts that are really appropriate for working with kids. This is an area I need to start focusing on.

So now we come to this outfit, which I wore last week while going through training for my new job. I liked it at the time, but something about it bothers me now. I think my issue is with the proportions. I’ve read in many places that wide leg pants are good for women who are curvy on the bottom, but now I’m not so sure if that’s true. It’s supposed to balance out the width of your hips, but I think it makes me just look larger. I think I might take these pants to a tailor to have them made into straight leg pants.

The other part I’m not so sure about are the proportions of the cropped jacket here. I love how this jacket looks worn over a dress or with a high waisted skirt. Do you think it works here worn over a longer blouse with pants? Or does it chop up my proportions too much?

Blazer: Forever21 (thrifted)
Blouse: Anthropologie
Pants: Banana Republic Outlet
Shoes: Clarks Apple Sky
Tote: Thrifted and re-conned
Pearls: Pixisette
Bangles: Jill Popowich

Daily Outfit: New Hair!

Posted on August 28, 2009 by Diana

I’ve been loving my hair cut. The last few times I’ve gone to get my hair done, I’ve felt like they were the best hair cuts I’d ever had. But at the same time, I don’t like to get into a rut. I decided that when I got my hair cut yesterday, I would change it slightly. So I decided to go for a bit more bangs – and I love it!

The new ‘do looks absolutely amazing with headbands. I’m looking forward to try new ways of styling it. If you haven’t tried a new style with your hair for a long time, go out and spend some money on a nice hair cut. It’s an accessory you wear everyday, so you want it to look its best. Cut out some photos of a look that you love, and have a good talk with your stylist about what will and won’t work for your hair.

This outfit is actually a combination I wear frequently, but have never managed to photograph. While I love the mix of colors, I do feel that the outfit has a bit too much volume, which can make me look heavier than I actually am. I’d love to get a slimmer, more structured blouse in this color.

And don’t forget, my necklace giveaway ends tonight (Friday) at midnight, Eastern Standard Time. There’s still time to enter!

Blouse: Forever 21 (thrifted)
Skirt: Lane Bryant (re-conned)
Purse: Morelle Charlotte
Brooch (on purse): Ann Taylor LOFT
Shoes: Dansko Nicolette
Headband: Target
Necklace: Express
Earrings: June Designs
Bangles: Jill Popowich

Daily Outfit: Shades of Blue

Posted on July 30, 2009 by Diana

Twee

Okay, I admit that the above pose is a bit twee, but it was just too cute to not include it. This outfit began with trying to figure out a way to wear my beautiful Anthropologie full mini skirt. It can be a difficult piece to pull off. The fullness of the skirt means that I want something relatively structured on top to balance it out. The khaki color is very muted, so it looks better with something vibrant and colorful. After trying a few combinations, I settled on this one. I was really surprised at just how well aqua and seafoam look together.

details

That belt is fast becoming a new favorite. I bought it last weekend when I was quickly stopping in a new thrift store. It was really disorganized, and I wasn’t in the mood to hunt for buried treasure, so I just looked over the accessories and got this and a silver necklace. Definitely the best $1 I’ve spent lately!

tops

I’m so glad I found a way to wear this skirt. It’s so cute and comfortable and has such darling details. I need to get more bright and structured tops to wear with it.

3770044808_d1e832f0e7

Blazer: Forever 21 (via Revolve)
Blouse: Anthropologie
Skirt: Anthropologie
Sandals: Dansko Neve
Purse: Morelle Oyster
Belt: Thrifted
Earrings: June Designs
Necklace: Target
Bangles: Jill Popowich

Daily Outfit: All about the bag

Posted on July 28, 2009 by Diana

dress

I had a lot of fun with this outfit yesterday. My main goal was to showcase this lovely bag that I won from Mary over at Undergrad Fab. Since the bag has a very strong and vibrant floral pattern, I wanted to limit everything else to solids and colors that would compliment the bag instead of distract from it. And there’s no more perfect canvas to showcase a beautiful bag than a little black dress. I layered a green blouse underneath it to add some visual interest with contrasting necklines, as well as to create a purple/green color combo, which is something I always find pleasing.

top

I went for beautiful and bold silver accessories that wouldn’t take away from the bag, but add additional visual interest. I recently thrifted that lovely belt for all of one dollar, and I created an echo of it with the chunky silver cuff. I kept the earrings to simple small hoops, and chose a necklace that would follow the deep v of the blouse.

necklace

I’m really, really pleased with how it all came together. The colors were vibrant, the feel was simple and summery, and because everything was jersey, it was super comfortable. Perfect for an easy summer day.

bag
3762172882_1177d98563

Blouse: Forever 21 (thrifted)
Dress: American Rag Cie (via Revolve)
Sandals: Dansko Neve
Bag: Giveaway from Undergrad Fab
Belt: Thrifted
Earrings: Sara Westermark
Necklace: June Designs
Bangle: Thrifted

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